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| 'Zero tolerance' on nurse attacks | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A staff nurse at a Northern Ireland hospital has said he has been attacked four times in the last five years. | A staff nurse at a Northern Ireland hospital has said he has been attacked four times in the last five years. |
| Joe Mottram, who works in the casualty department of Altnagelvin hospital in Londonderry, said he has also faced verbal abuse on a daily basis. | Joe Mottram, who works in the casualty department of Altnagelvin hospital in Londonderry, said he has also faced verbal abuse on a daily basis. |
| It comes as Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announces a new zero tolerance policy to combat attacks on health care workers. | It comes as Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announces a new zero tolerance policy to combat attacks on health care workers. |
| In the past year, there have been 6,000 cases of abuse against medical staff. | In the past year, there have been 6,000 cases of abuse against medical staff. |
| The Department of Health said 140 of those attacks were against ambulance staff, 107 were against doctors and a 3,377 were against nurses. | The Department of Health said 140 of those attacks were against ambulance staff, 107 were against doctors and a 3,377 were against nurses. |
| Mr McGimpsey said: "It is appalling to think that those who dedicate themselves to saving lives and to public service should be subjected to verbal and physical abuse. | Mr McGimpsey said: "It is appalling to think that those who dedicate themselves to saving lives and to public service should be subjected to verbal and physical abuse. |
| "That is why I am launching a campaign that will clearly spell out the message of Zero Tolerance. Zero Tolerance on attacks. Zero Tolerance on abuse. Zero Tolerance on threatening behaviour." | "That is why I am launching a campaign that will clearly spell out the message of Zero Tolerance. Zero Tolerance on attacks. Zero Tolerance on abuse. Zero Tolerance on threatening behaviour." |
| Prison | Prison |
| Mr Mottram welcomed the move by the health minister, but said he did not think it would work. | Mr Mottram welcomed the move by the health minister, but said he did not think it would work. |
| "We've had zero tolerance within the hospital here for a time. I would be sceptical of zero tolerance again. | "We've had zero tolerance within the hospital here for a time. I would be sceptical of zero tolerance again. |
| "How is that going to work is what I would ask the minister. How is he physically going to stop this? | "How is that going to work is what I would ask the minister. How is he physically going to stop this? |
| "Yes, zero tolerance, but it is a bit late when you have been assaulted or you have been physically abused. Who is going to stop the person doing it again?" | "Yes, zero tolerance, but it is a bit late when you have been assaulted or you have been physically abused. Who is going to stop the person doing it again?" |
| The head of Altnagelvin's casualty department said the courts should treat attacks against health care workers differently from other assaults. | The head of Altnagelvin's casualty department said the courts should treat attacks against health care workers differently from other assaults. |
| Alan McKinney, who was once knocked unconscious by a patient, said people who attack hospital staff should be automatically sent to prison. | Alan McKinney, who was once knocked unconscious by a patient, said people who attack hospital staff should be automatically sent to prison. |